Money Guy Show: "Planning for the Future When Tomorrow Isn’t Guaranteed" | Making a Millionaire
Hosts: Brian Preston and Bo Hanson
Guests: Dom and Katie (pseudonyms, engaged couple)
Release Date: February 16, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode of the Money Guy Show's "Making a Millionaire" series explores the unique financial challenges and achievements of Dom and Katie, an engaged couple in Columbus, both 28, with a net worth of $443,000. Katie lives with cystic fibrosis, a genetic and historically life-limiting illness—creating a level of financial and existential uncertainty far different from what most young couples face. The discussion delves into their backstory, savings habits, anxieties, and the balance between rigorous future planning and enjoying life in the present, with expert guidance from Brian and Bo about optimizing their finances and overcoming psychological barriers.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Background and Relationship Origins (01:11–03:28)
- Childhood Connection: Dom and Katie grew up five houses apart; their families were close, but they drifted during high school/college and reconnected through a dating app during the pandemic.
- Current Status: Both are 28, engaged, and planning to marry in three months.
2. Professional Backgrounds and Early Financial Influences (03:29–07:06)
- Dom: Computer science degree; healthcare IT technical analyst. Parents were teachers, highly frugal with little investment talk. Natural saver; learned investing basics post-college, partly via YouTube and the Money Guy Show.
- Katie: Master’s in genetic counseling; works as a genetic counselor in Columbus. Dad works in finance—family practiced open money discussions, budgeting, and charity from a young age. Mom was a stay-at-home caretaker, especially due to Katie’s health.
“Growing up, my parents were super frugal...being frugal and saving money. They taught me good habits like paying off credit cards, but we didn't talk all that much about long-term planning and investing.”
— Dom (05:39)
“There'd be different jars: charity, college savings...I can remember doing that every Sunday night in the kitchen.”
— Katie (09:39)
3. Early Career and Accelerated Savings (07:06–14:59)
- Dom: Began saving 20–25% of salary immediately (first job: $50k), automating savings/investments, and tracking net worth from zero after college to $443k at 28.
- Katie: No student debt (parental support). Initially focused on building a cash buffer; high, mandatory 14% pension contribution (matched 14%). Also contributes to a 403(b), Roth IRA, and high-yield savings. Automated everything, echoing Dom's habit.
- Benefit Details: Katie’s job offers a defined contribution pension (with option to switch in first 5 years), various retirement account choices.
“Really, I think the biggest thing has been just automating everything...the automation has really been the biggest piece.”
— Dom (07:18)
“If you put 14% in, [employer] matches 14%...I thought it was a different account that I was eligible for, so I put 14% into the pension, 14% into something else. But then I came home with, like, virtually no pension. I was like, what happened?”
— Katie (12:09)
4. Current Net Worth & Household Finances (05:04–14:59)
- Net Worth: $443,000 at age 28.
- Income: Combined $190–200k salary.
- Expenses & Savings Rate: Take home ~$9,000/mo, spend ~$6,300/mo in fixed/living costs. Savings rate well above 28%, potentially approaching 50%.
5. Katie’s Health: Cystic Fibrosis Backstory and Its Impacts (15:22–22:26)
- Medical Advances: Life expectancy for people with CF has doubled from 30 to ~66 in her lifetime, yet uncertainty remains about long-term risks/health issues for this “pioneering” cohort.
- Ongoing Medical Costs: Daily treatments, diabetes, ongoing expenses (hospitalizations have decreased thanks to medication breakthroughs).
- Impact on Financial Planning: Anxiety about not being able to work someday, potentially high long-term health and cancer risks, and challenges planning for a family due to genetics/fertility.
“When I was born in ’97, life expectancy for people with cystic fibrosis was 30. We never talked about retirement—because that future just didn't exist...And now, that conversation has drastically changed.”
— Katie (16:39)
“But I don’t know what the future holds...part of our questions come down to that. We've been saving so much, but I think part of that is because of all this uncertainty.”
— Katie (19:13)
6. Family Planning & Financial Anxiety (22:02–30:44)
- Genetics and Parenthood: If Dom is a CF carrier, natural conception carries a 50% risk—thus, discussions about IVF or adoption (additional potential expenses) are ongoing, but no final decisions yet.
- Emotional Weight: Katie does not want to be a financial burden; Dom optimistic but values flexibility that savings provides.
- Homeownership: Recently purchased $363k home; mortgage is split (main loan + $20k 0% program). Desire to “make it a home” with renovations/furnishings—but time and concern over depleting cash savings are obstacles.
7. Lifestyle: Striking a Balance Between Saving and Living (24:18–33:55)
- Fun & Travel: Active (volleyball, gym); travel 2–3 times/year, but mostly frugal or family-supported. Few “big” vacations (Ireland, hiking).
- Time Over Money: Most limits are time/schedule related. Katie describes guilt/anxiety seeing savings dip—even if expenses are for important goals.
- Cash Management: Automated savings; use “fixed costs” and then spend leftover, but lack clear “sinking funds” for short-to-medium term goals (all residual cash labeled as general savings/emergency fund).
“Even if we had the time all of a sudden, spending $5,000 on a trip...mentally would actually be a struggle.”
— Katie (30:44)
8. Financial Systems, Jointness, and Budgeting (32:18–36:21)
- Current Setup: Accounts still separate (not married); split expenses via Venmo but mentally do not combine all finances yet. This sometimes distorts how much cash Katie “sees” as available, fueling anxiety.
- Psychology: Katie’s anxiety spikes as cash depletes for big events (e.g., wedding), despite fully-funded retirement and savings buckets. Dom feels the freedom savings creates, Katie feels the weight of future uncertainty.
“I have this ability in my brain to just really catastrophize...you could never have too much savings. And I see the retirement savings...but I always question, is it enough?”
— Katie (33:55)
9. Financial Order of Operations & Planning for Uncertainty (44:09–54:02)
- Brian & Bo's Guidance:
- Clarify & Systematize: Move away from piecemeal approach by following the (Money Guy) Financial Order of Operations—ensure they're filling buckets in the right order.
- Sinking Funds: Set up targeted sinking funds for (a) family planning, (b) future medical costs, (c) travel—explicitly designating these pots to be used, not just accumulated, to remove guilt and allow for present enjoyment.
- ABLE Account: Katie may qualify for an ABLE account (tax-advantaged disability savings), opening further opportunities for protected, growth-oriented savings for medical/lifestyle needs.
“You need somebody whispering in your ear, tomorrow is not promised...I just want to make sure when y'all look back...you go, ‘well done.’ But we've got to make sure y'all are also doing stuff...memory building is a big part of that as well.”
— Brian (52:01, echoing an earlier point)
10. Working the Numbers: Present, Down-to-Earth, and Doomsday Scenarios (56:28–64:48)
Proposed Financial Plan Structure:
- Dom: 5% to 401k (for full match), max Roth IRA, max HSA
- Katie: Keep 14% pension, max Roth IRA, small 403(b) contribution if possible
- Sinking Funds: $500/mo/bucket for medium-term needs (family, health, travel)
Projection Scenarios (assuming current net worth $350k, real savings rates):
- Optimistic ('Dream') Plan: 28.6% savings rate = $6.5M by age 50, $11M by age 55
- Down-to-Earth: Income falls to $150k, maintain 25% savings = $5.9M by 50
- 'Doo Doo' Plan: Income drops to $100k, savings down to ~$1,400/mo = still $4.1M by 50, $6.5M by 55
Key Insight:
Their early and aggressive savings have all but guaranteed options—meaning even under challenging scenarios, financial independence and robust flexibility are likely.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
Katie (on the mental challenge of her situation) [16:39]:
“When I was born in '97, the life expectancy for people with cystic fibrosis was 30...now that conversation has drastically changed. We've been saving so much, but I think part of that is because of all this uncertainty…There is a reality where I may not be able to work in the future. And we don't know if that's 60 or 35 or 40.”
Brian (urging them to find balance) [22:51]:
“The typical American says, tomorrow is not promised. And they spend like tomorrow's not promised…Here you guys are...You need somebody whispering in your ear, tomorrow is not promised...I just want to make sure that when y'all look back...that you go, 'well done.'”
Katie (on financial anxiety and planning) [33:55]:
“I have this ability in my brain to just really catastrophize...I always question, is it enough?”
Bo (on the purpose of planning) [66:02]:
“One of the reasons we have financial plans at all is so that we can remove the anxiety associated with money. They have future goals. They have intermediate goals. They have now goals. They have the ability to be able to tackle all three of those if they can put the plan in place and stick to the plan.”
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Time | Segment | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:11–03:28 | Dom and Katie's backstory, careers, meeting and engagement | | 05:04–08:41 | Net worth revelation and Dom’s early savings experience | | 09:39–11:12 | Katie’s unique upbringing and introduction to money management | | 15:22–22:26 | Cystic fibrosis explanation, living with uncertainty, and how it impacts financial planning | | 24:40–26:44 | Travel habits—desire for more experiences | | 28:04–30:28 | Buying a home, dreams of making it feel like their own | | 32:18–36:21 | Budgeting, cash management, and the psychological side of tracking money | | 44:09–48:48 | Brian and Bo’s framework: Systematizing and removing anxiety, using sinking funds | | 56:28–60:30 | Financial projections and "what if" scenarios—showing the couple’s strong trajectory | | 61:22–64:13 | Power of early investing, security already built, and the freedom to enjoy today | | 65:20–66:29 | Homework for Dom and Katie: 1) Live in the moment, 2) Apply the financial order of operations, 3) Trust the plan |
Actionable Takeaways & Advice
1. Create and Use True Sinking Funds:
Label buckets specifically for upcoming or potential needs (family, medical, travel). Plan to spend from these buckets to relieve guilt or anxiety.
2. Make the Most of Special Accounts:
Explore and leverage ABLE accounts for medical/lifestyle expenses. Analyze HSA/FSA rules post-marriage for optimal tax treatment.
3. Follow (Not Just Piece Together) a System:
Stick to the Financial Order of Operations for clarity, security, and reduced worry.
4. Allow for Present Joy:
With a high savings rate and wealth already built, give yourself permission to enjoy life and create memories today—especially when future health is uncertain.
5. Trust the Numbers:
Even conservative (or “worst-case”) future income/savings projections show robust financial independence. Early discipline creates options and peace of mind.
Episode’s Tone
- Warm, empathetic, and candid.
- Encouraging: Frames the couple as smart and driven, but gently challenges them to loosen up and live a little.
- Practical: Offers concrete next steps, not just platitudes.
Conclusion
Dom and Katie’s story is a powerful lesson in both financial and human terms. Their stellar net worth, despite being only 28 and facing unique health challenges, is the result of discipline, automation, and a supportive upbringing. At the same time, their anxiety about the future and reluctance to spend highlight the need for systems (like sinking funds) that give disciplined savers explicit permission—not just to protect against the unknown, but to enjoy the present. With rational systems, real projections, and some psychological reframing, Brian and Bo demonstrate that “making a millionaire” should mean more than just money in the bank; it’s also about making memories and living well today.